
In this episode, we ask what effect business rates have on our high streets and whether they should be reformed.
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Business rates are charged on non-domestic properties, such as shops, offices, pubs, factories and warehouses, and raise around 3% of the government's revenue.
At the start of the COVID pandemic, the government waived business rates for most businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. But the tax will start again from summer. As the high street reopens, we ask what effect business rates have on our high streets, whether they should be reformed, and whether we need a new tax on online retail to level the playing field.
This week, we speak with Helen Miller, IFS tax expert, and Helen Dickinson, CEO of the British Retail Consortium.
Host
Participants

Director
Helen joined the IFS in 2007. She has almost two decades of experience analysing UK fiscal policy and providing trusted advice to policymakers.

CEO British Retail Consortium
Podcast details
- DOI
- 10.1920/pd.ifs.2024.0083
- Publisher
- IFS
Suggested citation
P, Johnson and H, Miller and H, Dickinson. (2021). Are business rates killing the high street? [Podcast] IFS. Available at: https://ifs.org.uk/articles/are-business-rates-killing-high-street (accessed: 20 September 2026).
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